SESCHA Conclusions: The main challenges for the development of tourism infrastructure in regions and the implementation of RD Plans, SC TD Strategy and LEID Project are as follows:
The main environmental challenges are related to the ecological carrying capacity and ability of regions/sites to accommodate the new/targeted numbers of tourist arrivals without aggravating the existing (or creating new) ecological problems in the regions.
The main socio-economic challenges are related to the equitable distribution of benefits from tourism revenues across communities and across demographic groups within each community, the ability of local populations and businesses to take advantage of increased local development, the risk of losing long-term assets to external investors, and undesirable disruptions to local businesses from construction and rehabilitation activities.
The main cultural heritage challenges are related to the physical carrying capacity of the cultural heritage and natural heritage sites, properly conducted assessments of the carrying capacity, properly developed master-plans, site management plans, visitors management plans (including strict scheduling of tourists streams when/where necessary), conservation plans, effective cooperation with church and CH authorities, museums, etc.
SESCHA Recommendations: The critical messages/recommendations from SESCHA for the use during implementation of SEDPs, SCTDS and the LEID Project are as follows:
The majority of anticipated and predictable implications/effects of these programs can and should be mitigated at the planning and design stage. It is of utmost importance to assess current/existing carrying capacity (physical and ecological) of the major destinations/sites prior to starting spatial planning and zoning exercises. The optimal (and also maximum projected) physical and ecological carrying capacity of these sites shall be established through site management planning to ensure careful balance between the ambitious plans for sharp expansion of visitors streams and the sensitive ecological, social and CH factors. This will prevent the “desire”-based miscalculation of loads, which eventually causes overloading of ecological capacity and directly results in adverse impacts on physical, biological, social and cultural environment.
It is important to involve environmental, social and CH experts at the very initial stage of planning and design process, to work closely together with planners/architects from the very beginning, to come out with jointly weighted solutions. ToRs for the planners and architects should contain conclusions and recommendations delivered through this SESCHA report. This will allow for avoiding situations when a site management plan and the design are prepared in silos and are not harmonized.
The carefully and properly structured public information and participation process should be attributed not only to consultations on LEID Project and the present SESCHA, but shall be applied to the development of Site Management Plans as well, in order to gain local communities’ support and reveal all complains, comments and potential grievances as early as possible. The communities should consider themselves as co-authors, participants and beneficiaries of these master-plans that will increase their motivation to support and assist the implementation (construction) phase and then take good care of the infrastructure at the operation stage.
SESCHA recommends MoC and Department of Cultural Heritage Protection to assess in more detail the expected change in types and magnitude of potential impacts on cultural heritage related to the expected growth of tourist flows in long-term perspective. Adequate mitigation program and a set of specific limitations could be elaborated based on the proposed in-depth assessment. In a shorter perspective, within frames of the LEID Project, MoC and its Department of Cultural Heritage Protection should take active role in professional review of design documents and restoration methodology suggested for works on heritage monuments in order to ensure retention of their authenticity and historic value.
Strategic assessment and planning is required to estimate specific safety risks for tourists (particularly, environmental risks) and for planning emergency response and salvage operations. SESCHA recommends the following specific risks to be analyzed and addressed in follow-up site-specific assessments and management plans: geohazard risks; forest fire risks; risks of the hazardous human and animal diseases; risks related to uncontrolled contact with wild animals; other.
An important positive externality of tourism development is increased environmental awareness, both in the local population and governments on municipal as well as national levels. The main attractions of target regions are natural and cultural heritage based, and if natural resources dwindle, then so will the inflow of tourists. As a consequence, environmental and cultural heritage protection issues are treated with increasing attention. These medium term positive impacts could be enhanced, and SESCHA recommends including the awareness building programs for local population, tourists and investors aimed on protection of natural and cultural heritage.
The strict and clear requirements of environmental and social management planning, work planning, construction method statements and quality control, as prescribed by ESMF and RPF, should be reflected in all contracts and timeframes prepared for the construction contractors (starting from the bidding documents preparation phase). The carefully developed and strictly followed method statements and work schedules requested from and submitted by each contractor, proper quality assurance and supervision of works by ATDF should become key elements of the entire LEID Project implementation process. This will allow contractors to ensure delivery of works without rush, avoid devastating disturbance to local communities and CH sites, and without being urged-on by local or central functionaries.
SESCHA recommends ATDF and other proponents of LEID Project to incorporate observations, requests and suggestions of regional stakeholders as summarized in Chapter 14 of this report into detailed design of works to be developed for individual investments of this project, as well as while specifying scope of the TA to be delivered to individual beneficiary regions, and finally – while selecting PPI interventions in these regions. Furthermore, ATDF, being an implementing entity for another World Bank-financed Social Investment and Local Development (SILD) Project, is in a good position to seek synergy and complementary action under LEID and SILD projects, as both are structured to meet priority needs of local communities. Geographic coverage of SILD Project is not limited – it is being implemented country-wide. Therefore SILD Project interventions into the regions targeted by LEID Project may be harmonized and also checked against public opinion solicited through the SESCHA consultation process.
